Use of modified diisocyanates for preparing linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers having improved properties

ABSTRACT

Linear polyurethane elastomers of a polyol component, at least two extender components, and a diisocyanate compound are prepared by reacting the diisocyanate compound with one of the extender components to form a modified diisocyanate component having a functionality of about 2 prior to reacting this modified component with the other components of the elastomer. These new elastomers can be processed at lower temperatures compared to elastomers prepared from similar compositions wherein the isocyanate compound is not modified.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the preparation of linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers of a polyol component, at least one extender component, and a diisocyanate compound by initially reacting the diisocyanate compound with the extender to form a modified diisocyanate component prior to reacting this component with the polyol component and other extenders, if any.

BACKGROUND ART

In today's market, polyurethane elastomers are utilized in a wide array of products and applications, including producing industrial coated fabrics. For the latter, these polyurethanes are generally linear polymers exhibiting elastomeric characteristics of high tensile strength and elongation.

These linear polyurethanes are quite varied in their final properties as a result of the large number of permutations that can be applied to the three main components that are used in their manufacture. These components are polyols, polyisocyanates, and one or more extenders (generally diols). Some examples of these compounds are: polyether, polyester, polycaprolactone, polycarbonate, and polybutadiene polyols; toluene diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, cyclohexane diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, naphthalene diisocyanate; xylene diisocyanate, hexane diisocyanate, and hydrogenated 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate; and 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, and 1,3-butanediol extenders.

Typically, polyurethane elastomers which are considered top of the line with respect to performance, include, for example, polytetramethylene glycol (polyether) polyurethanes and poly(butane adipates or hexane adipates) ester polyurethanes. Of these polymers, the polyether polyurethanes exhibit good hydrolytic stability and low temperature properties but are generally poor for fuel resistance and oxidation resistance, while the polyester polyurethanes are tough with good abrasion resistance, oxidation resistance and fuel resistance, but not particularly resistant to hydrolysis. Still, at the present time the polyesters are generally considered to represent the best compromise of physical properties and chemical resistance of the various polyurethanes.

There are also a few polyurethanes based on polycarbonate polyols in the market. It is well known that these polycarbonate polyurethanes have very good hydrolytic stability and generally have good to very good resistance to other degradation forces; however, they are usually too hard, rigid and brittle for use in industrial coated fabrics.

Currently, high performance coated fabrics are based on polyester polyurethanes in order to meet the specifications currently in effect, but resistance to hydrolysis remains their weak point and represents a problem for these products. Thus, there is a desire for improved hydrolytic stability in a number of applications. A polyurethane having improved hydrolytic properties and sufficient elastomeric character to be useful in the manufacturing of industrial coated fabrics is also desirable and needed.

A wide variety of organic isocyanate and polyisocyanate compounds are available for use in the preparation of polyurethane elastomers. The particular isocyanate is selected to facilitate preparation of the polyurethane for the intended application. Generally, isocyanates which are liquid at room temperature are prepared for ease of handling.

Diphenyl methane diisocyanate ("MDI") is a solid diisocyanate which is available on a commercial scale and consists primarily of the 4,4' isomer with a small amount of the 2,4' isomer. These isomers are both solids at room temperature, having melting points of 42° and 36° C., respectively. Other isomers, such as the 2,2' isomer, are also solid at room temperature.

To convert solid MDI into a form which is more desirable for use in the preparation of polyurethanes, the prior art teaches that a liquid MDI composition can be prepared, for example, by partially reacting solid MDI with a glycol, diol or other polyol. Generally, about 10 to 35% of the isocyanate groups are reacted with the polyol. A number of U.S. patents illustrate this concept, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,883,571, 4,115,429, 4,118,411, 4,229,347, 4,490,300, 4,490,301, 4,539,156, 4,539,157 and 4,539,158. Such liquid diisocyanates are stated as being useful for forming polyurethanes for a wide variety of applications. None of these modified diisocyanate compositions have, however, been utilized to prepare linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers which have lower temperature processing characteristics compared to similar compositions prepared from solid MDI.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improvements in the preparation of a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition prepared from a polyol component, a diisocyanate compound, and first and second extender components. The processing temperature of the polyurethane is lowered by initially reacting the diisocyanate compound with the first extender in a molar ratio of above 2:1 to form a modified diisocyanate component having a functionality of about 2 prior to reacting the modified diisocyanate component with the polyol and second extender components. Thus, a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition is formed which has lower temperature processing characteristics compared to similar compositions wherein the diisocyanate compound is not modified.

The polyol component may be a polyether polyol, polycarbonate polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polyester polyol, polybutadiene polyol or mixtures thereof, and the first extender component is generally a polyol or amine compound having a molecular weight of less than about 500. Preferably the first extender component comprises a diol. Also, the second extender component is included for optimum results.

Generally, between about 10 to 30% by weight of the diisocyanate compound is modified so that the modified diisocyanate component has an NCO content of between about 14 and 33%, and preferably between about 20 and 26%. The most advantageous diisocyanate compound is one that primarily comprises 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, with the first extender component being a polyol or amine compound having a molecular weight between about 60 and 250, such as 1,4-butane diol, tripropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,6-hexane diol, 1,3-butane diol, neopentyl glycol, ethylene diamine or mixtures thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One preferred embodiment of this invention relates to a polyurethane elastomer based on a mixture of polycarbonate and polyether polyols, a modified diisocyanate component formed by reacting a diisocyanate compound with a low molecular weight extender such as tripropylene glycol, and a second extender of 1,4-butanediol. The modified diisocyanate and the second extender enable the polymer to have low temperature processing properties compared to those wherein the diisocyanate is not modified. This polymer also has hydrolytic stability which is vastly superior to conventional polyester polyurethanes. This polymer also has elastomeric characteristics and other physical properties which render it suitable for use in coated fabric manufacturing processes and resultant products produced therefrom.

In this embodiment, the polyether polyol and polycarbonate polyol can be used in any relative amounts provided that each are present in the composition. It has been found convenient to use a polyether polyol: polycarbonate polyol ratio in the range of between 2:1 to 1:8.

Instead of tripropylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol, other low molecular weight extenders can be used. Generally, polyols having a molecular weight of between about 60 and 500 (and preferably less than 250) have been found to be advantageous, although amines such as ethylene diamine can also be used. Specific polyols include diols such as 1,3-butanediol, ethylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, and neopentyl glycol, triols such as trimethyol propane, as well as mixtures of these components, can be used.

Any diisocyanate compound is suitable with those based on 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate being preferred. Toulene diisocyanate, naphthalene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, xylene diisocyanate and cyclohexane diisocyanate can also be used, if desired, but these compounds are generally more expensive or slower reacting. Such diisocyanate compounds are converted to a modified diisocyanate component as previously described.

The relative amount of modified diisocyanate to polyol ranges from above 2:1 to 20:1, and preferably between about 2.5:1 and 8:1. The second extender compound is included in an amount to achieve a final NCO:OH ratio of between about 0.95 to 1.05/1. The Examples illustrate preferred ratios of components for use in the preparation of linear polyurethanes in accordance with this invention.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the manufacture of any type of polyurethane elastomer prepared from the modified diisocyanate component to significantly lower the temperature requirements for processing the polyurethane on heat processing equipment, i.e., calenders, extruders, injection molding apparatus, etc. This modification includes reacting diisocyanate compound with a low molecular weight extender (i.e., polyol or amine compound, to form a modified diisocyanate component, prior to preparing the polyurethane with the other components.

The term "MDI" will be used throughout this application to designate diisocyanate compounds primarily based on 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate which are preferred for use in this invention. Also, the term "liquid MDI" will be used to designate an essentially difunctional modified MDI component prepared from the reaction of a low molecular weight polyol with an MDI compound to form a modified diisocyanate composition which is liquid at room temperature.

The low molecular weight extender used to modify the diisocyanate compound generally includes diols, triols or amines having a molecular weight below about 500, but any polyol which enables the diisocyanate compound to possess a functionality of about 2 and an NCO content of between about 14 and 33%, preferably between 20 and 26%, after modification, would be acceptable.

In this embodiment, essentially any polyol component can be used for reaction with the liquid MDI component, including polyether, polyester, polycaprolactone, polycarbonate or polybutadiane polyols or mixtures thereof. As noted above, a preferred polyol component is mixture of a polyether polyol and polycarbonate polyol.

It is also possible to add additional extenders to such compositions, these extenders also being a polyol or amine compound, preferably one of relatively low molecular weight (i.e., less than about 500). It is also possible to utilize unsaturated polyols as extenders, such as low molecular weight diols which include one or more double bonds. However, any conventional extender known to those skilled in the art can be used, depending upon the results desired.

Thus, the present invention demonstrates how various polycarbonate and polyether polyols, modified diisocyanate components and extenders may be blended over a wide range to allow the design of polyurethane polymers having different physical characteristics and properties. This makes it possible to custom design a polymer for a particular application.

There are several different types of modified MDIs presently on the market, but the types suitable for use in this invention are essentially difunctional. The preferred liquid MDI components are made by reacting an MDI compound with a small amount of a diol such as tripropylene glycol or a mixture of diols. The material resulting from this slight extension of the MDI compound is a liquid at room temperature while, as noted above, the original MDI compound is a solid at such temperatures. This makes the liquid MDI substantially easier to handle and process, while retaining generally equivalent performance to the unmodified MDI compound.

Representative modified liquid MDI components which are suitable and preferred for use in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,883,571, 4,115,429, 4,118,411, 4,229,347, 4,490,300, 4,490,301, 4,539,156, 4,539,157, and 4,539,158: all these components are essentially difunctional and are obtained as the reaction product of MDI. With a diol or polyol having a molecular weight below about 500. To the extent necessary to understand this component of the inventive compositions, these patents are expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. Those isocyanates having a functionality which is much greater than two are not particularly suitable for use in this invention, since they promote crosslinking rather than linearity in the resultant polyurethane polymer. The functionality of these compounds should be above 1.9 but below 2.2, with the preferred modified diisocyanate components being those having a functionally of approximately 2 so as to facilitate the preparation of linear polyurethanes.

In the production of polyurethanes, it is generally known to utilize one of two different manufacturing processes. In one method, known as the "one-shot" approach, all hydroxyl bearing components (i.e., polyols and extender diols) are combined as a mixture, to which is added an isocyanate component in essentially stoichiometric quantities to form the final product. The second method contemplates the formation of a prepolymer by reacting excess isocyanate with one or more high molecular weight hydroxyl bearing components, followed by the reaction of this prepolymer with the extender to form the final product.

As noted above, the use of the modified diisocyanate components of this invention enables a polyurethane having lower temperature processing characteristics to be achieved. The temperature difference can be as great as 30° to 40° F. below that of a corresponding formulation wherein the diisocyanate compound is not modified. However, greater temperature reductions are achieved when the polyurethane is manufactured in a specific manner.

For example, if the polyurethanes of the invention are made by the conventional "one shot" technique, a slight reduction on the order of about 3-4 degrees is obtained: this representing only about 10 % of the maximum reduction which could be achieved. Similarly, if solid MDI is used to prepare an isocyanate prepolymer with the high molecular weight polyol prior to reacting this prepolymer with the mixed extenders, a temperature reduction of about 4-5 degrees (i.e., about 15% of the maximum) is achieved.

Substantial reductions in the temperature processability of the resulting polyurethane can be achieved by following one of the following methods of manufacture. In one version, the isocyanate is pre-reacted with one of the extenders to form a modified isocyanate component prior to reaction with a mixture of the high molecular weight polyol and other extenders. This enables a temperature reduction of about 20 to 25 degrees to be achieved (i.e., about 60% of the optimum). Finally, the optimum temperature reduction is achieved by sequentially reacting the modified isocyanate component first with the high molecular weight polyol followed by reaction with the second extender. As noted above, a temperature reduction of 30 to 40 degrees is possible, with the formation of a clear polyurethane polymer.

Again, MDI, modified as disclosed herein, is the most advantageous diisocyanate for use in preparing the polyurethanes of this invention, although the other isocyanates mentioned above can instead be used, if desired. When light stability in a clear product is desired, an isophorone diisocyanate can be used to achieve better results than MDI. For a lower cost isocyanate component, toluene diisocyanate ("TDI") can be used, but it is less reactive than MDI. Thus, when TDI is used, amine extenders, rather than polyol or diol extenders, should be used. One skilled in the art can select the best combination of ingredients for any particular formulation.

These linear polyurethane elastomers are preferably made using a two step solution polymerization technique. Predried toluene, dimethyl formamide and the isocyanate are charged to a 3000 ml reactor (in some cases a 15,000 ml reactor was used). A given weight of polyol(s), the amount needed to achieve the desired prepolymer NCO/OH value, is dissolved in additional dry toluene. The reactor is then prepurged with dry nitrogen and maintained under a positive low pressure of dry nitrogen for the full reaction time.

The isocyanate containing solution is preheated to 65°-75° C. (depending on anticipated exotherm), and the solution of polyols is slowly added by a continuous stream (over one-half hour) to the reactor. The temperature is allowed to rise to 80°-90° C. (depending on system) and is maintained at this temperature for an additional two hours.

The desired extender diol is preweighed and dissolved in dry dimethyl formamide. The reactor is cooled to 60°-65° C. and two 7-10 gram samples of the reaction mixture are removed and analyzed for NCO content. The diol is then charged to the reactor, and the temperature raised (partly by the exotherm of extension) to 85°-90° C. and maintained at this temperature for two hours. A sample of the polymer is dried and an IR spectrum was run. If free NCO is detected in the spectrum, the reaction is continued for another hour.

The reaction solution is then allowed to cool to room temperature overnight and stored in a container until it can be tested. All mixtures were designed to yield a solution of 30% by weight of polymer dissolved in a 60/40 mixture of toluene/DMF.

This solution cooking technique provides an easy way of making this polymer, but it is difficult to evaluate the physical properties of such solutions. Thus, the solution collected from an individual cook is spread coated onto release paper and dried at 300° F. to remove the solvent. This film can then be stripped from the paper and used to conduct various physical property tests.

A. Modulus, Tensile Strength, and Elongation

One gram of cadmium stearate was added to 200 grams of dried polymer and intimately mixed on a two roll rubber mill. A 0.040 inch slab of polymer was removed from the mill and was used to make tensile specimens. This was done by pressing the slab between two polished plates in a heated Wabash press for 15 minutes at sufficient temperature and pressure to yield a 0.010-0.014 inch film. Temperatures and pressures varied depending upon the particular formulation. The press was cooled to room temperature and the film was removed from between the plates. From this film, five samples were cut in the size of one inch by six inches. These were then tested on an Instron and averages of 100% modulus, 200% modulus, tensile strength, and elongation were calculated from the test results. The temperature for the milling and pressing operations were observed and found to be related to formulation changes.

B. Toluene Swell

Two pieces, one inch by two inches, of the pressed film were immersed in toluene for 24 hours. Measurements of volume by displacement of alcohol before and after toluene immersion were used to calculate volume swell.

C. Flow Temperature and Flow Rate

A three to five gram sample of polymer was finely chopped and used to determine the temperature at which the polymer would flow at a measurable rate and to determine the rate itself on a Kayness, Inc. extrusion plastometer Model D-0051. A measurable rate was defined as greater than 0.15 grams per 10 minutes. Thus at temperatures below the flow temperature, neither fusion of the polymer nor flow greater than 0.15 grams is achieved. The flow rate is defined as the number of grams extruded from the barrel of the plastometer in a period of ten minutes.

D. Brookfield Viscosity

Fifteen grams of polymer were dissolved in 85 grams of dry dimethyl formamide and warmed to 30 degrees Centigrade in a constant temperature bath overnight in a closed waterproof container. The viscosity was then measured on a Brookfield viscometer as quickly as possible after removing from the bath. Viscosity data is reported in cps.

E. Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)

Several polymer slabs, including a known control, were measured for T_(g). This work was done by two techniques, mechanical spectroscopy which measures the change in physical properties due to passing through the glass transition temperature and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) which measures the second order transition defined as glass transition temperature.

The improvements and advantages associated with the linear polyurethane polymers developed in this invention are illustrated below in the Examples.

EXAMPLES

The scope of the invention is further described in connection with the following examples which are set forth for the sole purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and which are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. In these examples, all parts given are by weight unless otherwise specified.

The specific preferred chemicals utilized in the examples are listed below as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     POLYOLS                                                                                                     OH   Equiv                                        Supplier Identity  Type      Number                                                                              Wt.                                          __________________________________________________________________________     PPG Industries                                                                          Duracarb 120                                                                             aliphatic carbonate                                                                      131.0                                                                               428.2                                        PPG Industries                                                                          Duracarb 122                                                                             aliphatic carbonate                                                                       95.0                                                                               590.0                                        PPG Industries                                                                          Duracarb 124                                                                             aliphatic carbonate                                                                       58.0                                                                               967.2                                        QC Chemicals                                                                            Polymeg 1000                                                                             PTMEG ether                                                                              111.9                                                                               501.3                                        QC Chemicals                                                                            Polymeg 2000                                                                             PTMEG ether                                                                               55.7                                                                               1007.2                                       Whitco Chemical                                                                         Form-rez 44-112                                                                          ester     113.3                                                                               495.1                                        __________________________________________________________________________     ISOCYANATES                                                                                                      Equiv.                                       Supplier Identity  Type      % NCO                                                                               Wt.                                          __________________________________________________________________________     ICI      Rubinate 44                                                                              MDI       33.6 125.0                                        ICI      Rubinate LF-179                                                                          liquid MDI                                                                               23.0 182.5                                        Mobay Corp.                                                                             Mondur PF liquid MDI                                                                               22.9 183.4                                        BASF     Lupranate MP-102                                                                         liquid MDI                                                                               23.0 182.5                                        Dow Chemical                                                                            Isonate 181                                                                              liquid MDI                                                                               23.0 182.5                                        __________________________________________________________________________     EXTENDER DIOLS                                                                 Supplier Identity  Equivalent Weight                                           __________________________________________________________________________     BASF     1,4-butanediol                                                                           45                                                          Dow Chemical                                                                            tripropylene glycol                                                                      96                                                          __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 1-12

Table I (A&B) illustrates the effect that modified liquid MDI components have on flow temperature of various polyurethanes compared to those made from the corresponding unmodified MDI compound. The table lists six polyurethanes made with various polyols, including some mixtures of polyols. Each two examples represent a polyurethane made from liquid MDI and its analog made from the corresponding MDI unmodified, solid component. As shown in the table, the percent hard segment is equivalent in each comparison. Examples 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 are in accordance with the present invention, while Examples 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 are included for comparison. In all cases, the liquid MDI polymer has a lower flow temperature than its solid MDI analog. Flow temperature is that temperature at which a measurable flow is first observed when tested on an extrusion plastometer.

Since flow temperature is a measure of the temperature at which the polymer may be processed on calendering and extrusion equipment, the use of the liquid MDI components allows the making of polymers which process at lower temperatures, and therefore are easier to process and manufacture into articles such as calendered sheets for coated fabrics. The results demonstrate that all experimental polymers made with liquid MDI components exhibited lower milling temperatures than those of their solid MDI analogs.

Although Table I illustrates polyurethanes made with polyether, polyester, and polycarbonate polyols, it would be expected that this improvement would be present regardless of the specific type of polyol used.

EXAMPLES 13-16

The section on chemicals lists four commercially available liquid MDI components and describes how they are produced. Table II (A&B) demonstrates that these four isocyanates are essentially equivalent in their ability to modify the flow temperatures and therefore the processing temperatures of polyurethanes made from them. Any one of these four preferred isocyanates may be employed in the development of low temperature processable polyurethanes. As noted above, a wide variety of difunctional isocyanates which are modified by reaction with low molecular weight polyols would also be suitable for use in this invention.

EXAMPLES 17-22

Table III (A&B) compares polycarbonate polyurethanes made from liquid MDI components against those made with solid MDI components. Examples 17-19 are in accordance with the invention, while Examples 20-22 are comparative. It can be seen from the data that polyurethane polymers made using liquid MDI exhibit better physical properties, particularly tensile strength, compared to those made with solid MDI. Flow temperatures were not specifically measured on the liquid MDI polymers, but processing on the mill was found to be significantly better than for polymers made with the comparable unmodified, solid MDI compounds.

It should also be noted that the use of liquid MDI allows the production of polyurethane elastomers having a higher percent hard segment. This is advantageous because in general the urethane linkages are much more stable to various degradation forces (i.e. hydrolysis, oxidation, etc.) than are ether, ester or other bonds in the polyol backbone.

EXAMPLES 23-38

Polyurethane elastomers made from an aliphatic polycarbonate polyol, liquid MDI and 1,4-butanediol were prepared as shown in Table III, Examples 17-19. A mixture of polycarbonate polyols was used in Example 38 of table IV. Excellent physical properties, particularly tensile strength and elongation, were achieved in these formulations. Upon further analysis of the tensile curves, it was observed that these polymers were more plastic than elastomeric in character. Thus, these polymers could be described as hard and tough with a high yield value as illustrated by the 100% modulus values. However, evaluation of films of the polycarbonate based polyurethane polymers exhibited poor cold crack properties.

To improve low temperature properties without sacrificing the properties of the polycarbonate backbone, a copolyol was introduced into the system, as shown in Examples 23-37 of Tables IV (A & B). A polytetramethylene glycol ("PTMG") polyol was found to have the compatibility with the specific polycarbonate polyols used, with the molecular weight of 1000 and 2000 each found to be suitable.

From Table IV (B), it is observed that physical properties, i.e. modulus, elongation, tensile strength, and toluene swell are affected by percent weight secondary and by percent hard segment. Thus, as the percent of secondary polyol (PTMG polyether) is increased, (or the polycarbonate is decreased), modulus decreases and the polymer becomes more elastomeric than plastic. Also as the percent hard segment decreases, the modulus decreases but toluene swell (a measure of solvent resistance) increases. From this information, one skilled in the art can select the optimum combinations for the desired final product.

Two different molecular weight polyethers were evaluated. The results tend to indicate that change in properties is mainly related to the percent (by weight) of secondary polyol rather than to the molecular weight of the PTMG polyol. It is also observed that there is some lowering of tensile strength at higher percent secondary polyol, but at a weight ratio of primary/secondary polyol of greater than or equal to one, this is not significant. Increased molecular weight of these polymers can also be used to counteract this effect.

EXAMPLES 39 and 40

The ability to custom design a polymer to meet various physical requirements is suggested by the results of Table V. It is also possible to improve low temperature properties. Table V (A&B) compares two formulations which are similar with the exception of the introduction of 20% PTMG polyether polyol into the polymer (Example 40). Again the changes in physical properties can be observed.

The T_(g) of the formulations of these examples was determined by mechanical spectrometry (M.S.) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to be as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Polymer         M.S.     DSC                                                   of Example      Tg (°C.)                                                                         Tg (°C.)                                       ______________________________________                                         39              50.9-56.0                                                                               21                                                    40              30.9     11                                                    ______________________________________                                    

Thus the mixture of the PTMG polyether polyol with the polycarbonate polyol resulted in a significant lowering of the T_(g) (in degrees Centigrade). Thus, this polyol mixture increases the cold cracking and low temperature impact properties of the resulting linear polyurethane polymer.

EXAMPLES 41-45

Table VI (A&B) illustrates the reproducibility of the invention by listing several formulations which were made at different times on different days.

EXAMPLES 46-48

As described above, most of the elastomers of the Examples were made using a solution polymerization technique and then dried for testing and experimental use. This technique is not a suitable process for use in commercial manufacturing, and other methods of polymerization can be used. One is to mix together the polyol(s) and diol(s) and then feed this stream with a stream of isocyanate to an intensive mixer. The two streams when mixed are heated to initiate polymerization and extruded as a polymer (one-shot). Another approach is to first make prepolymers from the polyol(s) using an excess of isocyanate and then to extend this material with the diol(s) in the presence of heat.

Two experiments were conducted in an attempt to simulate and evaluate these two approaches. In both cases, the formula of Example 40 was used. The one-shot experiment was conducted by weighing the polyols and diol into a plastic container and mixing well under nitrogen. The appropriate amount of LF-179 was then added, mixed well, capped under nitrogen and placed in an oven at 90° C. overnight. The prepolymer approach was conducted by mixing the polyols thoroughly with an excess of isocyanate (per formula), followed by capping and heating for two hours at 85° C. After removing the sample from the oven, an appropriate amount of diol was added, quickly mixed, capped and returned to a 90° C. oven overnight.

Table VII (A&B) gives a comparison of a solution cook to a one-shot and a prepolymer cook. In all cases, flow temperature is still lower than a comparable unmodified MDI polymer and physical properties are very similar. Working these polymers on a rubber mill indicates that the prepolymer approach may actually yield a lower temperature processing polymer than the one-shot approach. Also, the prepolymer approach provides a much clearer polymer which is a sign of better uniformity and compatibility. Therefore the prepolymer approach is preferred although the one-shot approach will indeed yield acceptable polymers and, it is seen that a new linear polyurethane elastomers useful for a wide variety of applications can be prepared.

While it is apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

                                      TABLE I(A)                                   __________________________________________________________________________     FORMULATIONS                                                                          ISOCYA-                                                                              PRIMARY  SECONDARY                                                                               EQUIV                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               PREPOL                                                                               FINAL                          EXAMPLE                                                                               NATE  POLYOL   POLYOL   RATIO                                                                               RATIO NCO/OH                                                                               NCO/OH                         __________________________________________________________________________     1      LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.410                                                                               1.025 2.503 0.981                          2      MDI   DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.410                                                                               1.025 3.340 0.980                          3      LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               1.516 2.600 0.950                          4      MDI   DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               1.516 1.478 0.950                          5      LF-179                                                                               POLYMEG 1000                                                                            --       --   --    2.377 0.950                          6      MDI   POLYMEG 1000                                                                            --       --   --    3.171 0.950                          7      LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 122                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.546                                                                               2.079 3.163 0.950                          8      MDI   DURACARB 122                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.546                                                                               2.079 4.220 0.951                          9      LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 124                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            1.575                                                                               1.512 4.471 0.950                          10     MDI   DURACARB 124                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            1.575                                                                               1.513 1.517 0.950                          11     LF-179                                                                               FORM-REZ --       --   --    1.970 0.980                                       44-112                                                            12     MDI   FORM-REZ --       --   --    2.633 0.980                                       44-112                                                            __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         1. Equivalent and weight ratio refer to the ratio of primary to secondary      polyol by equivalents or weight, respectively.                                 2. Each formulation contains 1,4butane diol as an extender in an amount        necessary to achieve the final NCO/OH ratio.                             

                                      TABLE I(B)                                   __________________________________________________________________________     PROPERTIES                                                                              %     %                     PER-                                      EX-                                                                               %     WEIGHT                                                                               HARD 100% 200%        CENT  TOLU-        BROOK-                 AM-                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               SECOND-                                                                              SEG- MODU-                                                                               MODU-                                                                               TENSILE                                                                               ELONG-                                                                               ENE  FLOW                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FIELD                  PLE                                                                               PRIMARY                                                                              ARY   MENT LUS  LUS  STRENGTH                                                                              ATION SWELL                                                                               TEMP                                                                               RATE                                                                               VISCOSITY              __________________________________________________________________________     1  26.91 26.26 46.83                                                                                896 1354 4772   531   79.2 150 1.825                                                                              115                    2  26.93 26.28 46.79                                                                               1696 1920 2550   412   69.6 195 9.400                                                                              57                     3  30.19 19.92 49.89                                                                               1028 1746 5094   494   104.6                                                                               150 1.868                                                                              93                     4  30.10 19.90 50.00                                                                                761  905 1324   496   79.0 160 7.686                                                                              27                     5  50.00 --    50.00                                                                                626  787 1968   655   92.0 150 10.070                                                                             54                     6  50.00 --    50.00                                                                               *    *    1300    77   60.0 186 5.924                                                                              27                     7  33.80 16.30 49.90                                                                               1082 1697 3745   413   105.0                                                                               150 6.158                                                                              42                     8  33.80 16.20 50.00                                                                               1878 *    1911   148   62.3 194 1.555                                                                              34                     9  30.10 19.90 50.00                                                                               1198 1707 3732   439   100.0                                                                               160 4.284                                                                              56                     10 30.10 19.90 50.00                                                                               1740 *    1731   112   80.4 210 5.662                                                                              28                     11 55.00 --    45.00                                                                                555  810 6928   579   51.4 175 7.578                                                                              254                    12 55.00 --    45.00                                                                               1553 1885 3604   554   43.2 179 18.060                                                                             53                     __________________________________________________________________________      *Property Not Measured                                                   

                                      TABLE II(A)                                  __________________________________________________________________________     FORMULATIONS                                                                          ISOCYA-                                                                              PRIMARY  SECONDARY                                                                               EQUIV                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               PREPOL                                                                               FINAL                          EXAMPLE                                                                               NATE  POLYOL   POLYOL   RATIO                                                                               RATIO NCO/OH                                                                               NCO/OH                         __________________________________________________________________________     13     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.681                                                                               1.565 2.618 0.952                          14     ISO.181                                                                              DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.558                                                                               1.512 2.606 0.951                          15     MP-102                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.558                                                                               1.512 2.606 0.951                          16     MON PF                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.558                                                                               1.512 2.606 0.950                          __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         1. Equivalent and weight ratio refer to the ratio of primary to secondary      polyol by equivalents or weight, respectively.                                 2. Each formulation contains 1,4butane diol as an extender in an amount        necessary to achieve the final NCO/OH ratio.                             

                                      TABLE II(B)                                  __________________________________________________________________________     PROPERTIES                                                                              %     %                     PER-                                      EX-                                                                               %     WEIGHT                                                                               HARD 100% 200%        CENT  TOLU-        BROOK-                 AM-                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               SECOND-                                                                              SEG- MODU-                                                                               MODU-                                                                               TENSILE                                                                               ELONG-                                                                               ENE  FLOW                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FIELD                  PLE                                                                               PRIMARY                                                                              ARY   MENT LUS  LUS  STRENGTH                                                                              ATION SWELL                                                                               TEMP                                                                               RATE                                                                               VISCOSITY              __________________________________________________________________________     13 30.38 19.41 50.21                                                                               1239 2066 5649   478   112.5                                                                               150 1.739                                                                               82                    14 30.10 19.90 50.00                                                                               1057 1598 3962   492   94.0 150 4.990                                                                               55                    15 30.10 19.90 50.00                                                                               1093 1638 4239   504   85.0 150 1.815                                                                              121                    16 30.10 19.90 50.00                                                                               1057 1776 5668   507   90.0 160 2.436                                                                              111                    __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE III(A)                                                     ______________________________________                                         FORMULATIONS                                                                   EX-                                                                            AM-   ISOCYA-                PREPOL  FINAL                                     PLE   NATE      POLYOL       NCO/OH  NCO/OH                                    ______________________________________                                         17    LF-179    DURACARB 120 2.477   0.992                                     18    LF-179    DURACARB 120 2.477   0.992                                     19    LF-179    DURACARB 120 2.477   0.992                                     20    MDI       DURACARB 120 2.475   0.990                                     21    MDI       DURACARB 120 2.700   0.990                                     22    MDI       DURACARB 120 2.901   0.990                                     ______________________________________                                          Note:                                                                          Each formulation contains 1,4butane diol as an extender as necessary to        achieve the final NCO/OH ratio.                                          

                                      TABLE III(B)                                 __________________________________________________________________________     PROPERTIES                                                                              %                                                                     EX-                                                                               %     HARD                                                                               100%                                       BROOK-                 AM-                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               SEG-                                                                               MODU-                                                                               200%   TENSILE                                                                               PERCENT  TOLUENE                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FIELD                  PLE                                                                               PRIMARY                                                                              MENT                                                                               LUS  MODULUS                                                                               STRENGTH                                                                              ELONGATION                                                                              SWELL  TEMP                                                                               RATE                                                                               VISCOSITY              __________________________________________________________________________     17 45.19 54.81                                                                              2605 *      6739   297      68.0   **  *   *                      18 45.19 54.81                                                                              2086 *      6100   351      53.0   **  *   *                      19 45.19 54.81                                                                              1924 *      5904   367      54.0   **  *   *                      20 53.19 46.81                                                                              1398 *      2528   304      78.0   160 12.620                                                                             36                     21 50.76 49.24                                                                              2372 3515   4469   304      78.0   160 12.620                                                                             36                     22 48.79 51.21                                                                              2927 3909   4763   288      48.5   175 17.390                                                                             40                     __________________________________________________________________________      *Property not measured                                                         **Flow temperature not specifically measured but visually observed to be       lower (on the order of about 150 F.) compared to that of Examples 20-22. 

                                      TABLE IV(A)                                  __________________________________________________________________________     FORMULATIONS                                                                          ISOCYA-                                                                              PRIMARY  SECONDARY                                                                               EQUIV                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               PREPOL                                                                               FINAL                          EXAMPLE                                                                               NATE  POLYOL   POLYOL   RATIO                                                                               RATIO NCO/OH                                                                               NCO/OH                         __________________________________________________________________________     23     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            8.988                                                                               7.677 2.480 0.977                          24     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            8.996                                                                               3.949 2.480 0.977                          25     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            3.995                                                                               3.412 2.479 0.977                          26     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            2.999                                                                               2.562 2.475 0.980                          27     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            2.999                                                                               2.562 2.475 0.980                          28     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            2.327                                                                               1.988 2.481 0.977                          29     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            2.334                                                                               1.993 2.099 0.980                          30     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            1.498                                                                               1.280 2.478 0.977                          31     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.410                                                                               1.025 2.826 0.983                          32     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 1000                                                                            0.999                                                                               0.853 2.478 0.977                          33     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.333                                                                               1.025 2.481 0.977                          34     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.333                                                                               1.025 2.481 0.977                          35     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.410                                                                               1.025 2.503 0.981                          36     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.410                                                                               1.025 2.120 0.984                          37     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            1.032                                                                               0.439 2.520 0.983                          38     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            DURACARB 122                                                                            1.000                                                                               0.725 2.475 0.990                          __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         1. Equivalent and weight ratio refer to the ratio of primary to secondary      polyol by equivalents or weight, respectively.                                 2. Each formulation contains 1,4butane diol as an extender in an amount        necessary to achieve the final NCO/OH ratio.                             

                                      TABLE IV(B)                                  __________________________________________________________________________     PROPERTIES                                                                              %     %                     PER-                                      EX-                                                                               %     WEIGHT                                                                               HARD 100% 200%        CENT  TOLU-        BROOK-                 AM-                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               SECOND-                                                                              SEG- MODU-                                                                               MODU-                                                                               TENSILE                                                                               ELONG-                                                                               ENE  FLOW                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FIELD                  PLE                                                                               PRIMARY                                                                              ARY   MENT LUS  LUS  STRENGTH                                                                              ATION SWELL                                                                               TEMP                                                                               RATE                                                                               VISCOSITY              __________________________________________________________________________     23 40.25  5.24 54.51                                                                               2256 3262 6386   362   68.0 160 3.850                                                                              79                     24 38.36  9.71 51.93                                                                               1799 3155 6644   355   106.0                                                                               150 1.039                                                                              104                    25 35.51 10.41 54.08                                                                               1808 2917 6573   386   88.0 150 1.720                                                                              84                     26 33.22 12.97 53.81                                                                               1947 3193 7284   371   76.0 150 0.821                                                                              227                    27 33.22 12.97 53.81                                                                               1704 3055 7294   374   72.0 150 0.750                                                                              63                     28 30.81 15.50 53.69                                                                               1068 2321 5846   388   91.0 150 5.232                                                                              63                     29 33.88 17.00 49.12                                                                                625 1466 6452   439   123.0                                                                               150 2.495                                                                              141                    30 26.24 20.50 53.26                                                                                732 1536 5542   450   79.0 150 5.272                                                                              51                     31 25.26 24.65 50.09                                                                               1243 2088 6563   521   81.0 160 1.790                                                                              217                    32 21.70 25.43 52.87                                                                               1071 1705 4388   463   77.0 150 7.580                                                                              70                     33 26.91 26.26 46.83                                                                                844 1284 5803   579   100.0                                                                               150 0.980                                                                              153                    34 26.91 26.26 46.83                                                                                867 1354 6041   558   96.0 150 0.905                                                                              188                    35 26.91 26.26 46.83                                                                                896 1354 4772   531   79.2 150 1.825                                                                              115                    36 29.19 28.49 42.32                                                                                489  712 5362   612   164.0                                                                               160 2.313                                                                              229                    37 17.50 39.86 42.64                                                                                520  684 3170   683   148.0                                                                               150 2.792                                                                              99                     38 20.8  28.7  50.4 *    *    *      *     105.0                                                                               150 1.608                                                                              134                    __________________________________________________________________________      *Property Not Measured                                                   

                                      TABLE V(A)                                   __________________________________________________________________________     FORMULATIONS                                                                          ISOCYA-                                                                              PRIMARY  SECONDARY                                                                               EQUIV                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               PREPOL                                                                               FINAL                          EXAMPLE                                                                               NATE  POLYOL   POLYOL   RATIO                                                                               RATIO NCO/OH                                                                               NCO/OH                         __________________________________________________________________________     39     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            --       --   --    2.477 0.992                          40     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               1.516 2.600 0.950                          __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         1. Equivalent and weight ratio refer to the ratio of primary to secondary      polyol by equivalents or weight, respectively.                                 2. Each formulation contains 1,4butane diol as an extender in an amount        necessary to achieve the final NCO/OH ratio.                             

                                      TABLE V(B)                                   __________________________________________________________________________     PROPERTIES                                                                              %     %                     PER-                                      EX-                                                                               %     WEIGHT                                                                               HARD 100% 200%        CENT  TOLU-        BROOK-                 AM-                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               SECOND-                                                                              SEG- MODU-                                                                               MODU-                                                                               TENSILE                                                                               ELONG-                                                                               ENE  FLOW                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FIELD                  PLE                                                                               PRIMARY                                                                              ARY   MENT LUS  LUS  STRENGTH                                                                              ATION SWELL                                                                               TEMP                                                                               RATE                                                                               VISCOSITY              __________________________________________________________________________     39 45.19 --    54.81                                                                               2086 *    6100   351    53.0                                                                               *   *   *                      40 30.19 19.92 49.89                                                                               1028 1746 5094   494   104.6                                                                               150 1.686                                                                              *                      __________________________________________________________________________      *Property not measured                                                   

                                      TABLE VI(A)                                  __________________________________________________________________________     FORMULATIONS                                                                          ISOCYA-                                                                              PRIMARY  SECONDARY                                                                               EQUIV                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               PREPOL                                                                               FINAL                          EXAMPLE                                                                               NATE  POLYOL   POLYOL   RATIO                                                                               RATIO NCO/OH                                                                               NCO/OH                         __________________________________________________________________________     41     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.333                                                                               1.025 2.481 0.977                          42     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.333                                                                               1.025 2.481 0.977                          43     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            2.410                                                                               1.025 2.503 0.981                          44     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               1.516 2.600 0.950                          45     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               1.516 2.600 0.950                          __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         1. Equivalent and weight ratio refer to the ratio of primary to secondary      polyol by equivalents or weight, respectively.                                 2. Each formulation contains 1,4butane diol as an extender in an amount        necessary to achieve the final NCO/OH ratio.                             

                                      TABLE VI(B)                                  __________________________________________________________________________     PROPERTIES                                                                              %     %                     PER-                                      EX-                                                                               %     WEIGHT                                                                               HARD 100% 200%        CENT  TOLU-        BROOK-                 AM-                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               SECOND-                                                                              SEG- MODU-                                                                               MODU-                                                                               TENSILE                                                                               ELONG-                                                                               ENE  FLOW                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FIELD                  PLE                                                                               PRIMARY                                                                              ARY   MENT LUS  LUS  STRENGTH                                                                              ATION SWELL                                                                               TEMP                                                                               RATE                                                                               VISCOSITY              __________________________________________________________________________     41 26.91 26.26 46.83                                                                               867  1354 6041   558   96.0 150 0.905                                                                              188                    42 26.91 26.26 46.83                                                                               844  1284 5803   579   100.0                                                                               150 0.980                                                                              153                    43 26.91 26.26 46.83                                                                               896  1354 4772   531   79.2 150 1.825                                                                              115                    44 30.19 19.92 49.89                                                                               1072 1824 5405   488   92.3 150 1.440                                                                              105                    45 30.19 19.92 49.89                                                                               1028 1746 5094   494   104.6                                                                               150 1.868                                                                               93                    __________________________________________________________________________      PG,33

                                      TABLE VII(A)                                 __________________________________________________________________________     FORMULATIONS                                                                          ISOCYA-                                                                              PRIMARY  SECONDARY                                                                               EQUIV                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               PREPOL                                                                               FINAL                          EXAMPLE                                                                               NATE  POLYOL   POLYOL   RATIO                                                                               RATIO NCO/OH                                                                               NCO/OH                         __________________________________________________________________________     46     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               1.516 2.600 0.950                          47     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               2.079 2.600 0.950                          48     LF-179                                                                               DURACARB 120                                                                            POLYMEG 2000                                                                            3.565                                                                               2.079 2.600 0.950                          __________________________________________________________________________      Notes:                                                                         1. Equivalent and weight ratio refer to the ratio of primary to secondary      polyol by equivalents or weight, respectively.                                 2. Each formulation contains 1,4butane diol as an extender in an amount        necessary to achieve the final NCO/OH ratio.                             

                                      TABLE VII(B)                                 __________________________________________________________________________     PROPERTIES                                                                              %     %                     PER-                                      EX-                                                                               %     WEIGHT                                                                               HARD 100% 200%        CENT  TOLU-        BROOK-                 AM-                                                                               WEIGHT                                                                               SECOND-                                                                              SEG- MODU-                                                                               MODU-                                                                               TENSILE                                                                               ELONG-                                                                               ENE  FLOW                                                                               FLOW                                                                               FIELD                  PLE                                                                               PRIMARY                                                                              ARY   MENT LUS  LUS  STRENGTH                                                                              ATION SWELL                                                                               TEMP                                                                               RATE                                                                               VISCOSITY              __________________________________________________________________________     46 30.19 19.92 49.89                                                                               1028 1746 5094   494   104.6                                                                               150 1.868                                                                               93                    47 30.20 19.90 49.90                                                                                915 1691 4885   442   115.0                                                                               160 2.207                                                                              202                    48 30.20 19.90 49.90                                                                               1144 2342 6634   409   105.0                                                                               160 1.111                                                                              373                    __________________________________________________________________________ 

What is claimed is:
 1. In the preparation of a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition from a polyol component, a diisocyanate compound, a first extender component having a molecular weight of less than about 500 and a second extender component, the improvement which comprises lowering the processing temperature of said polyurethane by reacting the diisocyanate compound with said first extender in a molar ratio of above 2:1 to form a modified diisocyanate component having a functionality of about 2 prior to reacting the modified diisocyanate component with the polyol and second extender components, thus forming a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition having lower temperature processing characteristics compared to similar compositions wherein the diisocyanate compound is not modified.
 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the polyol component is a polyether polyol, polycarbonate polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polyester polyol, polybutadiene polyol or mixtures thereof.
 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first extender component is a polyol or amine compound having a molecular weight of less than about
 500. 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the first extender component comprises a diol.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second extender component is a polyol or amine compound having a molecular weight of less than about 500 and which is different from said first extender component.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein between about 10 to 30% by weight of the diisocyanate compound is modified so that the modified diisocyanate component has an NCO content of between about 14 and 33%.
 7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the NCO content of the modified diisocyanate component is between about 20 and 26%.
 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the diisocyanate compound primarily comprises 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate.
 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first extender component is a polyol having a molecular weight between about 60 and
 250. 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first extender component is 1,4-butane diol, tripropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,6-hexane diol, 1,3-butane diol, neopentyl glycol, ethylene diamine or mixtures thereof.
 11. In the preparation of a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition from a polyol component, a diisocyanate compound, and first and second extender components, the improvement which comprises lowering the processing temperature of said polyurethane by reacting the diisocyanate compound with said first extender component in a molar ratio of above 2:1, wherein said first extender compound is a polyol or amine having a molecular weight of between about 60 and 500, to form a modified diisocyanate component having a functionality of about 2 and an NCO content of between about 14 and 33% prior to reacting the modified diisocyanate component with the polyol and second extender components to form a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition having lower temperature processing characteristics compared to similar compositions wherein the diisocyanate compound is not modified.
 12. The composition of claim 11 wherein the polyol component is a polyether polyol, polycarbonate polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polyester polyol, polybutadiene polyol or mixtures thereof.
 13. The composition of claim 11 wherein the second extender component is a polyol or amine compound having a molecular weight of less than about 500 and which is different from said first extender component.
 14. The composition of claim 11 wherein the diisocyanate compound primarily comprises 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate.
 15. The composition of claim 11 wherein the first extender component is 1,4-butane diol, tripropylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,6-hexane diol, 1,3-butane diol, neopentyl glycol, or mixtures thereof.
 16. The composition of claim 11 wherein the second extender component is a diol having a molecular weight between about 60 and
 250. 17. In the preparation of a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer from a polyol component, a diisocyanate compound, and first and second extender components, one of which has a molecular weight of less than about 500, the improvement which comprises reacting the diisocyanate compound with the extender component which has the molecular weight of less than about 500 in a molar ratio of above 2:1 to form a modified diisocyanate component having a functionality of about 2 and an NCO content of between about 20 and 26% prior to reacting the modified diisocyanate component with the other components of the elastomer, thus forming a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition having lower temperature processing characteristics compared to similar compositions where the diisocyanate compound is not modified.
 18. The composition of claim 17 wherein the polyol component is a polyether polyol, polycarbonate polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polyester polyol, polybutadiene polyol or mixtures thereof.
 19. The composition of claim 17 wherein the diisocyanate compound primarily comprises 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate.
 20. The composition of claim 17 wherein either of the first or second extender components is a polyol or amine having a molecular weight below about 500, and wherein said first extender component is different from said second extender component.
 21. The composition of claim 17 wherein the extender component which is initially reacted with the diisocyanate compound is 1,4-butane diol, tripropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol ethylene glycol, 1,6-hexane diol, 1,3-butane diol, neopentyl glycol, ethylene diamine, or mixtures thereof.
 22. In the preparation of a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition from a polyol component, 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, a first extender component having a molecular weight of between 60 and 250 and a second extender component, the improvement which comprises lowering the processing temperature of said polyurethane by reacting the diisocyanate compound with said first extender component in a molar ratio of above 2:1 to form a modified diisocyanate component having a functionality of about 2 prior to reacting the modified diisocyanate component with the polyol and second extender components, thus forming a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition having lower temperature processing characteristics compared to similar compositions wherein the diisocyanate compound is not modified.
 23. The composition of claim 22 wherein the second extender component is a polyol or amine compound having a molecular weight of less than about 500 and which is different from said first extender component.
 24. The composition of claim 23 wherein between about 10 to 30% by weight of the diisocyanate compound is modified so that the modified diisocyante component has an NCO content of between about 14 and 33%.
 25. The composition of claim 24 wherein the polyol component is a polyether polyol, polycarbonate polyol, polycaprolactone polyol, polyester polyol, polybutadiene polyol or mixtures thereof and wherein the first extender component is 1,4 butane diol, tripropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, 1,6-hexane diol, 1,3-butane diol, neopentyl glycol, ethylene diamine or mixtures thereof.
 26. A method for preparing a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition which comprises:initially reacting a diisocyanate compound with a first extender component having a molecular weight of less than about 500 in a molar ration of above 2:1 so as to form a modified diisocyanate component having a functionality of about 2 and to provide relatively low temperature processing properties to the composition; and subsequently reacting the modified diisocyanate component with a polyol and second extender to form a linear thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer composition, wherein the polyol component provides superior hydrolytic stability and low temperature flexibility properties to the composition.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the modified diisocyanate component is subsequently reacted with a mixture of the polyol and second extender components.
 28. The method of claim 26 wherein the polyol component is reacted with the modified diisocyanate component prior to reaction with the second extender.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the relative amount of modified diisocyanate to polyol ranges from above about 2:1 to 20:1 and the second extender is included in an amount to achieve a final NCO:OH ratio of between about 0.95/1 and 1.05/1.
 30. The method of claim 26 which further comprises selecting a polyol component having an amount of a polycarbonate polyol to impart hydrolytic stability to the composition and an amount of polyether polyol sufficient to improve the low temperature impact properties of the composition, the polyether polyol and polycarbonate polyol being present in the polyol component in a relative amount of 2:1 to 1:8.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the diisocyanate compound is initially reacted with the first extender to provide a modified diisocyanate compound having a NCO content of between 14 and 33%.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the diisocyanate compound comprises 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate, and each of the first and second extender components is a polyol or amine compound having a molecular weight of less than about
 500. 33. The method of claim 1 wherein the modified diisocyanate compound is reacted sequentially first with the polyol and then with the second extender.
 34. The method of claim 11 wherein the modified diisocyanate compound is reacted sequentially first with the polyol and then with the second extender.
 35. The method of claim 17 wherein the modified diisocyanate compound is reacted sequentially first with the polyol and then with the second extender.
 36. The method of claim 22 wherein the modified diisocyanate compound is reacted sequentially first with the polyol and then with the second extender. 